Essential Oils – what you need to know

by Polly N on October 24, 2012

As you may know by now, I am a lover of all things natural and chemical free and it doesn’t get much better than essential oils. But I must admit I’m a bit clueless when it comes to how to use them, which ones you can use on their own and which ones need to be mixed with a carrier so I have asked the lovely Jenn Rowland from her Go To Oils blog to give us the lowdown.

GUEST POST by Jenn Rowland

Essential Oils 101

I’m excited to share with you what I’ve learned about essential oils over the past few years. I’ve learned theory from several experts and I’ve learned much from my own experience in using the oils daily on my own family. I love to see my kids going into our medicine cabinet (AKA oil shelf) and knowing what to use for their headache, digestive upset, cough, or anxiety. I don’t have to worry about what chemicals they are putting into their body or what the side effects might be. We’ve used the oils for everything from cooking to allergies to serious infections, with amazing results. I want to write it all in this first post, but I will pace myself!

What are essential oils?

Liquids extracted from plants (or parts of plants-seeds, roots, bark, flowers, etc) that have therapeutic benefits. Essential oils have been around since the beginning of time and are nature’s medicine. Today we have research and science to help us understand that the benefits of essential oils go far beyond aromatherapy. Just as our bodies are organic, so are the oils. This is the perfect combination – the chemistry matches which means the oils are very effective within our bodies.

How do I know if an oil is pure?

Using an oil that is impure may not provide the maximum benefit and could actually be toxic to our bodies. It is difficult to find a pure oil today as there is no governing body to help us determine which oils are safe. Essential oils can be found almost anywhere and usually say “100% pure” on the bottle, but they also say “external use only” or “keep out of reach of children”. If the oil is actually pure, it can safely be used internally and would not be dangerous for children. Some companies test their oils only within their company, some test small samples periodically, and some don’t test at all and simply trust their growers. I have found doTERRA oils to be the most pure and potent on the market today. This company has set a new standard for purity in the industry with their label of CPTG – Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. To achieve this standard, the oils go through several tests to confirm the presence of necessary chemical constituents as well as the absence of pesticides and other contaminants. Every batch is tested and if standards are not met the oil is returned to the grower. doTERRA is not the cheapest but it is the highest quality.

What benefits can Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade oils provide?

Essential oils oxygenate the blood and stimulate the immune system. They are powerful antioxidants. They are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-infectious, antiseptic, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antitumor, anticancer. Certain oils which contain sesquiterpenes have the ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier and directly affect the brain and promote emotional as well as physical healing.

I had no idea that essential oils were so useful; I was under the impression they were just a spa treat to lift our moods. Where can I learn more? I mainly treat my children with homeopathic remedies and I don’t believe in vaccinations, so this is right up my street. Thank you!

Thank you. I remember we always used to have essential oils in the house and I loved looking in the pretty box that housed them all. I am starting to move away from things filled with toxics and chemicals and are very interested to learn more about the essential oils, thank you. Can’t wait to learn more.

Hello, I’m Polly…

About Me..

I am a lifestyle advisor, coach, wellness writer & foodie passionate about helping people to take back the reins on their health by living more consciously so that they can become their healthiest, happiest self.

I love to get up and talk in front of people to inspire and motivate them to make positive changes in their life. Having had cancer twice before the age of 28, I was forced to reevaluate my life and now I am keen to share the information I have learned from my studies at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and from my own personal experience.

I am co-author of "The Cancer Journey - Positive Steps To Help Yourself Heal" - the go-to handbook for anyone with a diagnosis, hailed by The Telegraph as 'an excellent book to read'. Available from www.thecancerjourneybook.com or Amazon.

Mission Statement...

To inspire others to live a happier and healthier life and to do everything in their power to achieve this in every moment so they can live a life they love. www.theconsciouslifeguide.com

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Disclaimer

The information shared in this blog is based on my own personal healing journey which is intended to educate and inform the reader. This is not a prescription and we insist that you consult your own doctor or healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for you and your condition.